Action:
Close fishing in the Methow River from Gold Creek to the Twisp River.

Dates:
Dec. 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018

Species affected:
Whitefish

Reason for action:
Allowable impacts to steelhead listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act in the upper Columbia River are very low. The whitefish season in the Methow River from Gold Creek to the Twisp River has a high steelhead encounter rate. Closing this section of the Methow River will protect listed steelhead and provide greater assurance the other whitefish seasons will remain open as long as possible.

Other information:
The whitefish seasons in the Methow (from Twisp River to Foghorn Dam and from the Weeman Bridge to the falls at Brush Creek) will open Dec. 1 as scheduled, as will those on the Similkameen, Chewuch, and Entiat rivers and Sinlahekin Creek. Those seasons are described in the current Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet.

WDFW will monitor those fisheries closely, and may close additional seasons if federal impact levels on listed steelhead are reached. Anglers are advised to check the WDFW website (https:
//fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/) for new emergency regulations before going fishing.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.